I NTERNATIONAL T ELECOMMUNICATION U NION
Telecommunication
Standardization Bureau
Geneva, 26 January 2001
- To the Administrations of Member States of
the Union;
- To ITU-T Sector Members;
- To ITU-T Associates;
TSB Circular 20
Ref:
SSG/TT
Copy:
- To the Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of
Special Study Group “IMT-2000 and
beyond”;
- To the Director of the Telecommunication
Development Bureau;
- To the Director of the Radiocommunication
Bureau;
Tel:
+41 22 730 5126
Fax:
+41 22 730 5853
E-mail: tsbssg@itu.int
Subject: Approval of new Questions for the 2001-2004
Study Period
Dear Sir/Madam,
1.
At the request of the Chairman of Special Study Group “IMT-2000 and Beyond”, I have the
honour to inform you that, in accordance with the procedure described in Resolution 1, Section 7, §
7.3.2, of WTSA (Montreal, 2000), Member States and Sector Members present at the first meeting
of this Special Study Group which was held in Geneva from 11 to 15 December 2000, agreed by
reaching consensus to approve the following new Questions based on the four Questions entrusted
to the SSG by WTSA-2000:
-
Question 1 - Service and network capability requirements and network architecture
(see Annex 1)
-
Question 2 - NNI mobility management protocol (see Annex 2)
-
Question 3 - Identification of existing and evolving IMT-2000 systems (see Annex 3)
-
Question 4 - Interworking functions to be used with existing and evolving IMT-2000
systems (see Annex 4)
-
Question 5 – To participate in the preparation of a handbook on IMT-2000 (see
Annex 5)
-
Question 6 - Harmonisation of existing IMT-2000 systems (see Annex 6)
-
Question 7- Convergence of fixed and existing IMT-2000 systems (see Annex 7)
-
Question 8 – Special Study Group working procedures (see Annex 8)
Place des Nations
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-2-
2.
Questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are therefore approved.
3.
The resulting Recommendations are assumed to fall under the Alternative Approval Process
(AAP).
Yours faithfully,
H. Zhao
Director of the Telecommunication
Standardization Bureau
Annexes: 8
ITU-T\BUREAU\CIRC\020E.DOC
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ANNEX 1
(to TSB Circular 20)
Question 1 – Service and network capability requirements and network architecture
Reasons for the question
The increase of mobile communications has been explosive, and the number of mobile subscribers
has surpassed those of traditional communication services in some areas. The increasing desire for
accessing services such as those available from Internet on the move has created new fields of
services such as “mobile multimedia,” etc.
3rd generation mobile systems – IMT-2000 – will be introduced in early of 2000s in the market to
realize high speed, high capacity, and global mobility services.
The emergence of multi-operator environments in a number of countries and the increasing
liberalisation of networks and infrastructure will stimulate an open competitive environment. Such
an environment underlines the need for customers to generally expect the same service presentation
irrespective of the access and core networks used to deliver such services.
The Virtual Home Environment (VHE) is an environment, which presents the user with a common
look and feel interface and service experience regardless of location, terminal type and network. It
applies to both mobile and fixed networks, for both circuit switched and packet switched services.
However, users have indicated the desire for faster multimedia services, higher QoS, and consistent
service availability, service interoperability, etc. regardless of the types of networks or the location
of the user. How to expand network capabilities to support the above service expectations is an
important topic for network design.
In order to continue technical work, e.g., protocol design, etc, clear vision for future mobile services
and network capability requirements is required to ensure that the direction is correct.
The question
What Services and Network capability requirements, and the long-term architecture are needed to
support services and applications beyond IMT-2000?
Task objectives
The major focus of this question is to develop, in close cooperation with relevant organizations
within and without ITU, service and network capability requirements for beyond IMT-2000
systems. The task objectives for the question are:
1)
Prepare a document summarising the findings of a gap analysis on the current status and
trends in customer user needs, technology, market, and standardisation requirements, if
any.
First deliverable expected: a technical report ready for approval - 4Q 2001.
2)
Develop “IMT-2000 and Beyond” aspects of service capability requirements, including
VHE, for realising applications in item 1) above.
First deliverable expected: a draft new Recommendation ready for AAP Consent - 2Q
2002.
ITU-T\BUREAU\CIRC\020E.DOC
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3)
4)
5)
Develop network capabilities requirements for realizing item 2) service requirements. First
deliverable expected: a draft new Recommendation ready for AAP Consent - 4Q 2002.
Develop the long-term high-level network architecture for beyond IMT 2000 systems.
a) Develop definition of functional entities (FEs) and allocation of functional capabilities
to FEs,
b) Develop interfaces model among FEs and a network architecture model of beyond
IMT-2000,
First deliverable expected: a draft new Recommendation ready for AAP Consent - 2Q
2003
Assist the relevant protocol groups to identify the protocol changes needed to support VHE
in a mobile network, which will facilitate services transparency to users across different
access networks.
Expected completion: Task completion dates are in accordance with task objectives.
Relationships
The execution of tasks of this question will require close co-ordination and collaboration with :

ITU-T SG 2, 11, 12, 13, 16

ITU-R Working Party 8D & 8F (especially WG-Vision)

Relevant ITU-D SGs

Other relevant organisations including SDOs, IETF, etc.
ITU-T\BUREAU\CIRC\020E.DOC
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ANNEX 2
(to TSB Circular 20)
Question 2 - NNI mobility management protocol
Reasons for the question
IMT-2000 is a major initiative and a key component of ITU-T standards work. It is attracting
substantial attention as operators worldwide are looking at problems of evolving their networks to
meet increasing volumes of traffic, new and varied services, and new types of usage including highspeed data, IP, and multimedia services.
It has been agreed that IMT-2000 will be a family of systems - each family system representing
evolution from an existing mobile (or fixed) network with the possibility of multiple radio
technologies for IMT-2000. It has also been agreed that ITU-T will focus its standardization efforts
on inter-family aspects.
Regional and national standards development organisations (SDOs), either individually or as part of
a collective effort such as 3GPP or 3GPP-2, are developing specifications relevant to various family
member systems which are expected to be reflected in ITU recommendations by reference as
appropriate. Close cooperation and collaboration between ITU-T and these external SDOs and
forums will be required to ensure that IMT-2000 standardization work is not duplicated in ITU-T.
Convergence of fixed and wireless networks and ultimately migration to interoperable and
harmonized network architectures to provide services transparently to the users across different
access arrangements is becoming an industry requirement.
Question
What new mobility management signalling application protocols, or enhancements to existing
protocols are needed to support IMT-2000 services to enable global roaming between different
IMT-2000 family systems?
Task objectives
The main tasks are as follows:
1. In consultation with appropriate standardisation bodies determine if any new protocols or
enhancements are needed for the Common NNI (Mobility Management) to support the features
identified and Global roaming between IMT-2000 family member networks. If gaps are
identified, it is important to decide on how and where the necessary work will be carried out.
Expected first deliverable: a technical report on the findings ready for approval - 2Q2002
2. In consultation with appropriate standardisation bodies specify the enhancements needed to the
LMF and AMF state models (for both the home and visited situations) to support IMT-2000
Mobility Management features.
Expected first deliverable: a draft new Recommendation ready for AAP Consent - 2Q2002
3. Resulting from the detailed requirements developed in Task 2 above, and by examination of the
signalling and mobility management requirements produced by Q.1/SSG, including VHE for
mobile networks, identify and specify the mobility features required and specify the protocol in
relation to appropriate interoperability, transport layers, and mobility management.
Expected first deliverable: a draft new Recommendation ready for AAP Consent 4Q2003
ITU-T\BUREAU\CIRC\020E.DOC
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Relationships
The execution of tasks of this question will require close co-ordination and collaboration with:


Other standardisation bodies inside ITU

Other Relevant ITU-T SGs

Relevant ITU-R SGs

Relevant ITU-D SGs
Other relevant bodies, including but not limited to

SDOs

IETF
ITU-T\BUREAU\CIRC\020E.DOC
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ANNEX 3
(to TSB Circular 20)
Question 3 - Identification of existing and evolving IMT-2000 systems
Reasons for the question
The desire to perform interworking and establish a migration from existing IMT-2000 family
members towards systems beyond IMT-2000, will require the identification of the architecture of
these systems (IMT 2000 family members).
Since the existing IMT-2000 systems have been specified by a number of SDO’s, the reason for this
question, is to identify which specifications as approved by the SDO’s (recognized by ITU-T
according to A series recommendations) are necessary to relies an IMT-2000 system, and where
they apply to the overall architecture of the IMT-2000 family member.
As the SDO’s continue to develop various releases of their systems, new recommendation will need
to be produced to reflect the releases of these systems.
The identification of the architecture and detailed specifications (as produced by the SDO’s) of the
existing IMT-2000 family members is essential to be able to specify those functions required to
facilitate interworking between family members.
Question
What architectures, detailed specifications and releases have been and will be produced by
recognized SDO’s which make up existing and evolving IMT-2000 systems?
Task objectives
The major focus of this question is to develop recommendations, which identify the existing and
evolving IMT-2000 family member systems. The task objectives for the question are to develop
recommendations identifying the architecture and detailed specifications of each release (version)
of each IMT-2000 family member making reference to relevant specifications produced by the
ITU-T recognised SDO’s.
Recommendations shall be produced for the following existing and evolving IMT-2000 family
members:
GSM evolved UMTS core network with UTRAN access network,
ANSI-41 evolved core network with cdma2000 access network,
ANSI-41/GPRS evolved core network with UWC-136 access network.
Expected Completion: Initial recommendations consented end 2001, subsequent
recommendations 6 – 12 months after systems are approved by SDOs.
Relationships
The development of these recommendations will require close coordination activities with:
•
External organisations, particularly UWCC, SDOs.
•
ITU-T Study Group 11.
•
ITU-R Working Party 8F.
ITU-T\BUREAU\CIRC\020E.DOC
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ANNEX 4
(to TSB Circular 20)
Question 4 - Interworking functions to be used with existing and evolving IMT-2000 systems
Reasons for the question
The ability to facilitate appropriate (i.e., non commercial in nature) interworking between existing
IMT-2000 systems (family members) is required as these systems will be deployed by the members
making up the ITU.
Since existing and evolving IMT-2000 systems have been specified by the SDO’s, the reason for
this question is to identify functions which are required to facilitate interworking between the
following:
Between IMT-2000 family members,
Between IMT-2000 family members and the PSTN/ISDN, and
Between IMT-2000 family members and Packet Data networks.
As various releases of IMT-2000 family members continue to develop, new recommendation will
need to be produced to reflect the releases of these systems.
If any of this work is specified by SDO’s, it shall be examined and referred to. It is not the intent of
this question to duplicate effort already spent in the SDO’s.
Question
What interworking functions are required to facilitate appropriate interworking between existing
and evolving IMT-2000 family members, PSTN/ISDN and Packet Data networks?
Task objectives
The major focus of this question is to develop recommendations which identify and specify the
functions required to facilitate interworking between the existing and evolving IMT-2000 family
member systems, the PSTN/ISDN and Packet Data Networks. The task objectives for the question
are:
1)
Develop recommendation(s) identifying and specifying the functions required to facilitate
appropriate interworking between the IMT-2000 family members developed by the SDO’s.
Reference should be made to those family members specified under question Q.3/SSG.
2)
Develop recommendation(s) identifying and specifying the functions required to facilitate
appropriate interworking between IMT-2000 family members developed by the SDO’s and
the PSTN/ISDN developed by Study Group 11. Reference should be made to those family
members specified under question Q.3/SSG.
3)
Develop recommendation(s) identifying and specifying the functions required to facilitate
appropriate interworking between the IMT-2000 family member developed by the SDO’s
and Packet Data Networks developed e.g. by Study Group 7 and IETF, reference should be
to those family members specified under question Q.3/SSG.
Expected Completion: consented recommendations within 12 months of systems being
identified by Q.3/SSG. First recommendations consented end 2002.
Relationships
The development of these recommendations will require close coordination with:
•
External organisations, such as SDO’s, including IETF,
ITU-T\BUREAU\CIRC\020E.DOC
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•
•
•
ITU-T Study Group 2, 7, 11, 13
ITU-T Special Study Group on “IMT-2000 and Beyond”, Question “Identification of
existing and evolving IMT-2000 systems” Q3/SSG,
ITU-R Working Party 8D, 8F.
ITU-T\BUREAU\CIRC\020E.DOC
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ANNEX 5
(to TSB Circular 20)
Question 5 – To participate in the preparation of a handbook on IMT-2000
Reasons for Study
To assist both developed and developing countries in the deployment of IMT2000 systems, a
handbook is needed. This handbook requires inputs and close collaboration with ITU-D and ITU-R.
A single handbook is proposed to be prepared by the three sectors of the ITU. In its role as the lead
Study Group on mobility in ITU-T, the Special Study Group on “IMT-2000 and BEYOND” shall
coordinate the activities across the T sector for the network aspects of this handbook.
Network aspects should be based on the existing IMT-2000 family members identified under
Q.3/SSG.
Cooperation with external bodies outside of the ITU, in particular the SDOs, is required to gather
any relevant information from these organizations and avoid duplication of effort.
Question
To coordinate and prepare the T sector input to a single handbook prepared by the three sectors of
the ITU, containing different aspects related to: e.g. management, tariffs and technical matters.
Task Objectives
The task objectives for this question are:
1)
2)
Coordinate T sector inputs to a handbook produced in cooperation with the D and R
sectors of the ITU. This shall include e.g. management and technical aspects as prepared
by the relevant Study Groups.
Prepare the technical inputs to the handbook, on the network aspect of IMT2000 systems as
identified by Q.3/SSG.
Expected completion: 1 q. 2002.
Relationships
The development of these handbooks will require close coordination activities with:
•
External organisations, particularly 3GPP and 3GPP2.
•
All ITU-T Study Groups, in particular 3, 4, 7, 11, 13 & 16
•
ITU-R Working Party 8D, 8F.
•
ITU-D SG2
ITU-T\BUREAU\CIRC\020E.DOC
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ANNEX 6
(to TSB Circular 20)
Question 6: Harmonisation of existing IMT-2000 systems
Reasons for study
A mission of the ITU-T SSG is to develop the standards for harmonization of existing and evolving
IMT-2000 systems. The SSG shall provide a forum for open discussion of issues related to the
global harmonization of IMT-2000 systems, which include interface requirements, cross network
technologies, and issues not being addressed by other external organizations (e.g., SDOs.)
A major objective of the harmonization of IMT-2000 networks is to develop a long-term common
network solution for existing and evolving IMT-2000 systems. A common network architecture
can facilitate a cost-effective IMT-2000 network implementation based on the standardized open
interfaces, stimulate the commercial uptake of IMT-2000 services, and foster global roaming across
all existing IMT-2000 systems.
Question
What new recommendations and enhancements to existing recommendations on requirements are
needed for harmonization of existing IMT-2000 systems?
To provide seamless global roaming for IMT-2000 future Capability Set services that will include
high speed packet data, multimedia, and IP-based services, what are the interface requirements and
network architectures for harmonization of existing and evolving IMT-2000 systems?
Task objectives
Specific task objectives include:
1)
Establish co-operative working arrangement with external organisations (e.g. SDOs, IETF)
to ensure that work under this question in ITU-T does not overlap with other external
organisations.
Expected Completion: On-going
2)
Identify issues, requirements and the level of the harmonisation of IMT-2000 networks.
Develop and Analyse appropriate harmonisation principles and the existing IMT-2000
systems to be harmonised.
Expected completion: 4Q2001.
3)
Develop a new recommendation on the harmonisation requirements of existing IMT-2000
networks
Expected completion: 4Q2002.
4)
Develop a mid-term harmonised network architecture including the enhancements of the
concept within Recommendation Q.1711 (Functional architecture) in close cooperation
with external organizations.
Expected completion: 4Q2004
5)
Develop a mid-term information flows for the harmonised IMT-2000 networks.
Expected completion: 4Q2005
Relationship to other IMT-2000 standardisation activities in ITU-T and ITU-R
•
•
Service descriptions for mobile services (stage 1) - ITU-T SG 2
Numbering, identities, and global title translations for mobile services - ITU-T SG 2
ITU-T\BUREAU\CIRC\020E.DOC
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•
•
•
QoS and network performance (traffic, transmission, and reliability) - ITU-T SG 2 &
SG 12
Signalling for IP-based services and BICC. - ITU-T SG 11
IMT-2000 and their evolution - (ITU-R)
Relationship to other standardisation bodies outside ITU
•
Relevant SDOs, IETF.
ITU-T\BUREAU\CIRC\020E.DOC
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ANNEX 7
(to TSB Circular 20)
Question 7: Convergence of fixed and existing IMT-2000 systems
Reasons for the Study
The rapidly growing wireless data traffic and importance of IP-based networking are stimulating a
revolution path in the way fixed and mobile networks are implemented. The mid to long-term
aspects in which future fixed and mobile networks will no longer be different from the near-term in
the need to address wireless access to IP-based network.
Seamless services provisioning across the heterogeneous fixed (e.g., PSTN, ISDN, PSDN,
WAN/LAN/CATV, etc) and evolving mobile networks should be guaranteed in the convergence
systems. In the broader context of convergence, it can be recognized that there are other systems
besides IMT-2000 that exist today (e.g. broadcasting, WLAN, Satellite, etc). To involve the
interconnection of fixed and mobile networks, interfaces between IMT-2000 networks and other
networks and technologies to develop convergence systems should be studied within ITU-T.
Also, in Question ITU-R 229/8 regarding future evolution of IMT-2000 and fixed wireless access
(FWA), it has been addressed that the functions in fixed and mobile networks are increasingly
converging and the collaboration from ITU-T on network aspects is required.
To study network aspects for the convergence of fixed and existing IMT-2000 would provide the
foundation for the migration path to be interoperable and harmonized network architectures to
provide services transparently to users across different network access arrangement.
Questions
What are the principles and requirements for convergence of fixed and IMT-2000 networks?
How existing and evolving fixed networks will be evolved as converged core network to support
IMT-2000 capabilities?
What new recommendations are required to support the convergence of fixed and existing IMT2000 systems?
What are the architectural requirements for converged core network accessible from various
wireless and wireline access technologies to support current and evolving IMT-2000 capabilities?
How can the study on the convergence of fixed and existing IMT-2000 network be best adapted to
meet the need of developing countries?
Task objectives
1)
2)
Establish co-operative working arrangement with external organizations (e.g., SDOs, IETF,
ETSI, ATM Forum) to ensure that work under this question in ITU-T does not overlap with
other external organizations.
Expected completion: On-going
Develop a recommendation on principles and requirements for convergence of fixed and
IMT-2000 networks.
Expected completion: 2Q2002.
ITU-T\BUREAU\CIRC\020E.DOC
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3)
4)
5)
6)
Develop a new recommendation on network architecture and interface requirements to
facilitate evolution of existing fixed networks towards converged core network, supporting
IMT-2000 capabilities, in close cooperation with other relevant study groups and
recognized standardization bodies.
Expected completion: 1Q2003.
Develop new or enhance existing access network interface requirements for utilizing IMT2000 Radio Transmission Technology (RTT) to be used as FWA with existing fixed
networks.
Expected completion: 4Q2003.
Develop architectural and network interface requirements for converged core network
consistent with the long term network architecture as delivered by Q.1/SSG to ensure
capture of the convergence requirements..
Expected completion: 4Q2004
Develop a migration path for network convergence.
Expected completion: 4Q2004.
Relationships
ITU-R WP8 D & F on IMT-2000 and Beyond radio aspects, ITU-R 8A & B.
Related Questions: 77/8, 229/8
ITU-R JTG1-6-8-9
ITU-T SG 11, 13, and 16 (Multimedia)
ITU-T Q.1/SSG
Works in ITU-T should not duplicate work done in recognized External Organizations (e.g., SDOs,
IETF, ETSI, ATM Forum) and other forums.
ITU-T\BUREAU\CIRC\020E.DOC
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ANNEX 8
(to TSB Circular 20)
Question 8 – Special Study Group working procedures
Reasons for the question
The desire that the work in the Special Study Group on IMT 2000 and beyond is carried out in the
most efficient manner possible, and that it takes into account the collaborative environment in
which it operates, leading to an organization that is more responsive to the requirements of industry.
To meet this requirement the SSG needs to operate in a flexible but defined manner, thus requiring
appropriate documentation on how it is to carry out its work.
Any new working procedures should include how the SSG meets (full SSG or Rapporteurs), how
often the SSG meets, which groups it meets and liaises with, whether interpretation is required,
what type of output is required, and so on.
The WTSA has already provided provisional working procedures for this SSG and in
Recommendation A.9 which also authorizes investigation into alternative types of output of a
different status from recommendations, eg normative or informative technical specifications or
interim recommendations.
Question
Considering the provisional working procedures produced by WTSA for the Special Study Group
(Recommendation A.9), what further working procedures are needed to ensure that the SSG takes
the opportunity to respond in a flexible manner to the requirements of Member States and Sector
Members in the preparation of recommendations. Furthermore, what new output document types
need to be developed to efficiently and effectively carry out the work of the Special Study Group on
IMT- 2000 and beyond.
Task objectives
The major focus of this question is to develop working procedures which facilitate the provision of
output documents on IMT 2000 and beyond which include both recommendations and suitable
alternatives to recommendations. The task objectives for the question are:
1)
That SSG develop a set of working procedures based on the provisional set provided by
the WTSA in Recommendation A.9., including;
Reporting;
Working methods;
Work programme;
Approval of output;
2)
That the SSG develop new types of output document to meet the requirements of
industry for technical specifications of different status to those found in traditional ITU
recommendations.
New version of Recommendation A.9 to be submitted to TSAG for approval.
Expected Completion: Initial drafts for new document types for agreement by 3Q2001, subsequent
procedures 1Q2002. Proposals to TSAG 1Q2002.
ITU-T\BUREAU\CIRC\020E.DOC
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Relationships
The development of these working procedures and output document types will require close
coordination activities with:

TSAG

ITU-T Study Group 11.

ITU-R Working Party 8F.
_________________
ITU-T\BUREAU\CIRC\020E.DOC